Compressor and household appliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliance compressors require external accumulators for refrigerant liquid storage, occupying additional space and increasing production costs due to separate assembly requirements.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the accumulator within the compressor housing, utilizing a separation wall and a backing pipe connected to the suction port, which allows for internal liquid phase storage and gaseous phase compression, eliminating the need for an external accumulator and optimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an external accumulator is used for refrigerant liquid storage, then the compressor can store liquid phase refrigerant, but additional space around the compressor is occupied and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid phase refrigerant storage capacityVSAvoidspace around compressor

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the accumulator and compressor into a single integrated unit. The accumulator is positioned inside the compressor housing, sharing the same space and structural components. This merging eliminates the need for a separate external accumulator, thereby reducing the total space occupied while maintaining the liquid phase refrigerant storage function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If an external accumulator is used for refrigerant liquid storage, then the compressor can store liquid phase refrigerant, but production costs increase due to separate assembly requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid phase refrigerant storage capacityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the accumulator within the compressor housing, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled. The accumulator utilizes the compressor housing space and structural elements, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs associated with separate assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If the accumulator is integrated inside the compressor housing, then space requirements are reduced, but the compressor structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace around compressorVSAvoidcompressor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested configuration where the accumulator is placed inside the compressor housing. The accumulator utilizes the internal space of the compressor housing, effectively nesting one functional unit within another. This approach minimizes the external footprint while managing internal structural complexity through efficient spatial arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Quantity of substance

If the backing pipe is arranged outside the compressor housing, then liquid phase refrigerant can be held back in the accumulator, but the pipe must be guided through the housing adding structural complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid phase refrigerant retentionVSAvoidbacking pipe arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backing pipe serves as an intermediary element that connects the accumulator to the suction port. By positioning the backing pipe outside the compressor housing and guiding it through the housing, the patent enables liquid phase refrigerant retention in the accumulator while maintaining the necessary connection to the compression system. This intermediary structure manages the complexity by providing a clear separation between liquid storage and gas compression functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design reduces space requirements and production costs by integrating the accumulator, enabling efficient compression of both gaseous and liquid phases while maintaining the compressor's functionality, particularly beneficial for compact applications like heat pump dryers and washers.

Implementation Method 1

the accumulator comprises a separation wall which separates the accumulator from the internal volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical separation:

Implementation Method 2

the accumulator comprises a backing pipe for holding back the liquid phase of the refrigerant in the accumulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid blocking:

Implementation Method 3

the compressor for compressing a gaseous phase of a refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

the backing pipe is connected to a suction port of the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3757482B1Compressor and household appliance

Publication Date: 2022.08.24 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A compressor (10) for a household appliance (1), comprising a compressor housing (11), wherein the compressor housing (11) receives a compression chamber (23) for compressing a gaseous phase (GR) of a refrigerant, and an accumulator (16) for storing a liquid phase (LR) of the refrigerant, wherein the accumulator (16) is provided inside the compressor housing (11).